Polish Club Owner Alex Haditaghi Condemns Israel Ahead of UEFA Match Against Hapoel Tel Aviv

Alex Haditaghi, the Iranian-born owner of Polish football club Pogon Szczecin, sparked controversy by posting a harsh statement against Israel ahead of Hapoel Tel Aviv's UEFA match against GKS Katowice. In his social media post, Haditaghi accused Israel of committing "genocide" and criticized Zionism, calling for a boycott of Israeli teams. He urged Katowice players to express their anger and hopes on the field, concluding with the slogans "Free Palestine" and "Long live Iran."

The post provoked outrage in Israel due to its political nature and explicit call against an Israeli club during an official UEFA competition. Reports indicate this is not Haditaghi's first anti-Israel stance; he allegedly refused to sell players to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the past because of his opposition to Israel.

In response, Shino Zwartz, chairman of the Israel Football Association, condemned Haditaghi's remarks as "disgusting, racist, ignorant, and incendiary." Zwartz announced he instructed the legal department to file a formal complaint with UEFA, emphasizing there is no place in football for such divisive figures. Despite the controversy, Zwartz expressed hope for Israeli teams' success in European tournaments and pledged support for Hapoel Tel Aviv in their upcoming match.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions between political issues and sports, with UEFA expected to review the complaint against Haditaghi's conduct.